相模原さがみはら津久井つくいやまゆり園えん19人じゅうきゅうにん殺害さつがい事件じけんから9年きゅうねん追悼ついとう式しき行おこなわれる

On the 26th, marking nine years since 19 people were killed at a facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Sagamihara City, a memorial ceremony was held.

On July 26, 2024, nine years after the incident in which 19 residents were killed at the prefectural facility for people with intellectual disabilities, Tsukui Yamayuri-en, in Sagamihara City on July 26, 2016, a memorial service was held at the rebuilt facility at the site, attended by over 80 people including bereaved families.

First, Governor Kuroiwa said, The perpetrator believed that people who cant have proper conversations have no reason to live, but this is selfish, nonsense, and completely wrong.

We must never forget that.

And we must never allow such a tragic incident to happen again, he said in his address.

A moment of silence was then observed, and those in attendance mourned the 19 people.

Additionally, Tsukui Yamayuri-en Director Kiyomitsu Nagai stood in front of the altar together with resident representative Masanao Shimada and said, Please watch over your beloved families and everyone at Tsukui Yamayuri-en from heaven.

You will always be irreplaceable to us, he said in his words of remembrance.

After this, the attendees moved in front of the monument for the repose of souls and offered flowers and prayers at the flower stand engraved with the names of 10 people requested by the bereaved families.

We will accept flowers from the general public at the park until 5:00 p.m.

In this case, Satoshi Uematsu, a former employee who has been sentenced to death 35, applied for a retrial, but following the Yokohama District Courts decision earlier this year, the Tokyo High Court also decided not to grant a retrial.

The death row inmate filed a special appeal with the Supreme Court, objecting to the decision.

Mihos mother, whose daughter fell victim at the age of 19, said, I believe Miho is watching over us. As the ninth anniversary of the incident approaches, Mihos mother spoke to NHK, saying, No matter how many years pass, the sadness never heals, but I live each day believing that Miho is watching over us.

According to her mother, Miho had autism and a severe intellectual disability, and she was nonverbal, but she expressed her emotions richly and conveyed her intentions through her attitude and behavior.

Regarding her current feelings, the mother said, Just like nine years ago, I am still sad.

No matter how many years pass, the sadness never heals.

I still think that if I cry every day, Miho will worry about me, so I’m living my life so as not to make her worry, he said.

Mihos mother underwent surgery last month due to illness, and she says that during that time, she once again realized that Mihos presence was a source of emotional support for her.

My mother said, In the past, I used to feel anxious and get quite depressed, but this time, for some reason, I feel like I can stay calm.

When I think that Miho is watching over me, I am able to spend my days peacefully, and then added, Its been nine years since that day.

It feels like time has passed without me knowing whether it was long or short.

When I finish one thing, something new happens again, and each time I cry a lot, worry, think, and feel like Ive spent my days without even having time to notice the passage of time.

I met many people along the way, received their help, and I am filled with gratitude.

I want to continue expressing my gratitude while doing what I can, they said.

理事 Director Yamashita Yasushi of Kanagawa Kyodokai, which operates the facility, and Director Nagai Kiyomitsu of Tsukui Yamayuri-en held a press conference after the memorial ceremony, stating, We will never let this be forgotten.

In this, Chairman Yamashita said, Nine years have passed and some say the incident is fading from memory, but we must avoid forgetting what this incident has confronted us with.

We will never let this be forgotten, he said.

In addition, Director Nagai said, I am filled with feelings of regret toward those who lost their lives, their families, and those who were injured.

As someone who was involved with death row inmate Uematsu through work, I bear the cross of the incident, but as the years go by, it feels heavier, he said.

Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa: “It is important to convey the philosophy of living true to oneself.” After the memorial ceremony, Kanagawa Governor Kuroiwa and Sagamihara Mayor Motomura held a press conference.

Governor Kuroiwa said, Right now, in the current trends of society, the mindset of as long as Im okay, thats all that matters and the exclusion of those who are different are becoming quite prominent, and in part, thats even creating a new major movement.

Thats a completely different story from creating a society where we live together.

That’s why I strongly felt once again how important it is to clearly convey the principle of a society where everyone can live as themselves.

Also, Mayor Motomura said, I believe that Tsukui Yamayuri-en is a facility rooted in the community, and that even before the incident occurred, many users and their families were working together with the local community to realize a society where everyone can live together.

In this context, he stated, Going forward, the city will continue to work together with the prefecture to promote further initiatives so that more people can understand the realization of a symbiotic society.

People who came to offer flowers—A former staff member: “A society where anyone can live together”—An 82-year-old man who said he had worked as a staff member at Tsukui Yamayuri-en for over 30 years said, “Nine years have passed, but I still keep thinking about why such an incident happened at a facility that should be safe and secure.”

I think society as a whole needs to consider how we can realize a society where anyone can live together, they said.

I want to create a society where those who have passed away can rest in peace. Takahiko Harada 48, who worked as a staff member at Tsukui Yamayuri-en for six years, said, I remember the happy faces and fun memories of those who passed away.

I want to create a society where those who have passed away can rest in peace, so I offered flowers while saying, Well make such a society, so please dont worry.

It is also necessary for those involved to speak up, said Takuya Wada 32 from Nakano Ward, Tokyo, who lives with a disability and uses a wheelchair. He reportedly transferred between buses from his home to visit and offer flowers.

Mr. Wada said, Around this time of year, I remember the incident and come to offer flowers every year.

I think its important for people with disabilities and those around them to understand each other, and I also think its necessary for those affected to speak out, they said.

Each person needs to think of it as their own matter. A 64-year-old man living in Sagamihara City said, It’s been nine years since the incident, and this is the first time I’ve been able to come and offer flowers.

In order to create a society where everyone can live happily as a matter of course, I think its necessary for each individual to think of it as their own responsibility, rather than leaving it up to the government, they said.

A society that excludes someone cannot be happy. A part-time worker in their 30s said, I myself have a disability, but I dont think a society that excludes anyone can be happy.

I offered flowers, wishing Dont kill anyone, dont exclude anyone.

Its an unforgivable incident that we must absolutely never forget, he said.